Chapter 97 Chapter 97
Chapter 97 Chapter 97
Fear of the unknown grew inside the two men – fear of the truth about their history, fear of never getting to understand their feelings for each other any further, and now the fear of killing each other in front of their shared mate.
The two of them forced themselves to stay still, enduring the fire burning in their minds as they fought to reject the demented Alpha’s Roar.
‘Brendan,’ Reynard exhaled painfully down the bond.
‘You’re not gonna get sappy with me now, Mr Perfect, are you?’ Brendan joked, agony laced in his tone.
He scoffed, fighting his body as it trembled for him to move. ‘Sappy with you? Never.’
Brendan groaned, ‘I can’t hold it much longer.’
‘Me neither.’ He winced.
‘Whatever happens, I need you to know–’
‘Don’t,’ Rey interrupted. ‘Tell me when we’re out of this mess.’
‘Rey…’
‘Bren…’
“You can’t do this!” Suki screamed, stepping towards them, but Hadeon pulled her back.
He pushed her against the wall and spoke through gritted teeth, “I can and I will.”
“Hadeon, please, they’re my mates, I love them. Brendan is your brother. Reynard was never involved in your past.”
“Don’t worry,” he said smugly, stroking her face, then grabbed the back of her neck tightly. “In a few minutes, you won’t care about either of them anymore.”
She hissed, “That’s not how the bond works, you asshole. You can’t make me want to be with you, even through the forced bond.”
He laughed darkly. “You’ve already witnessed how much more elevated my power is, and yet you still underestimate me.” He clicked his tongue. “Shameful.” Leaning his face closer to hers, he looked down at her mouth and smirked. “Stay.”
She scowled, pressing her back against the wall. His control felt different with her; she could feel the invisible claws of him intruding on her mind and taking control, but the hold felt different.
Almost… pliant. If only she had more strength to push against it.
Hadeon turned around and paced over to Brendan and Reynard.
Suki looked down at herself and pressed her hand on her pocket.
It was still there – the syringe.
Come on, Suki. Move.
Linking his hands behind his back, he sniggered, “I must say it’s impressive how hard you’re both fighting against my command.” He brought his face right up to Reynard’s. “Is he really worth enduring all that pain for? After everything he did to your family?”
“Fuck you,” he snarled.
“Oh, what colourful language from the son of the former great warrior of Moonstone.” He once-overed him and grimaced. “Has anyone told you that you look just like your father?”
Reynard clenched his jaw.
“Except your eyes.” He smiled cruelly. “You have your mother’s eyes. What was it like seeing the light leave her eyes?”
“Stop it,” Brendan snapped at him.
Hadeon looked at Brendan, revelling in their suffering. He circled Reynard, halting behind him. His eyes glowed red as he whispered in his ear, “Look at him. Look at the man responsible for your parents’ death standing right in front of you. If it wasn’t for him, they would still be alive; they would be here with you now.”
Seeing the pain in his eyes, Suki exclaimed, “Rey, don’t listen to him, he’s–”
“Quiet!” Hadeon growled.
Her chest caved in, and she breathed heavily, suddenly feeling lost for words.
Hadeon continued, “Did you know your father never wanted you to be a warrior? If he and your mother lived, you could have been whoever you wanted to be; you could have lived a safe and happy life with your mate. Speaking of… You know Brendan wouldn’t hesitate to kill you if it meant he could have your mate all to himself. Think of yourself. Think of Suki. End him before he can end you.”
Reynard’s eyes darkened with wrath.
Brendan’s eyes widened. “You know it’s not true. I–”
In the blink of an eye, Rey had tackled Brendan to the ground and launched a punch right on his jaw. “It’s all your fault,” he said, wrapping his hands around Brendan’s neck and squeezing tightly. “It’s always been your fault.”
Brendan coughed and wheezed.
“NO,” Suki cried out, trying to move forward.
A wave of fury swept through Hadeon. He sped towards her and pinned her back against the wall. “You dare try and disobey me, pet?” he seethed.
“He’s going to kill him,” she sobbed. “Please, Hadeon!”
He rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll make it more… fun.” He smirked as his eyes glowed. “Watch this.” He looked at Brendan and spoke in his mind, breaching the power of telepathy, which for pureblood werewolves is usually limited to when they’re in their wolf form.
The wind brushed against Brendan’s ear as the whispers of his brother probed his mind. ‘His father is the reason your life turned for the worst – if it wasn’t for him, you never would have infiltrated Moonstone, you never would have tampered with the borders of Nighttide, and you never would’ve become a Rogue. If it wasn’t for him, you would’ve been the star warrior of your pack, your family would’ve been proud of you, and you wouldn’t have to earn the respect of your mate.’
Brendan ground his teeth together and gripped tightly on Reynard’s wrists.
“What are you saying to him?” Suki asked. “Brendan, don’t believe h–” A sharp gasp escaped her lips when Hadeon clasped his hand around her neck, shattering the metal choker that had electrocuted her many times over, and squeezed.
He continued. ‘He’s going to take your mate from you. He’s going to kill you.’ He growled, ‘Kill him first.’
Rage consumed Brendan. He swung his leg up onto Reynards chest and kicked him off of him.
The two men held their stances for a moment before lunging to attack one another relentlessly and viciously.
The feeling of defeat washed over Suki as her shoulders slumped, tiredness consuming her. Everything that had happened was finally taking its toll on her. Her heart palpitated when Hadeon’s head turned to face her, his glowing red eyes burning into her soul.
“Now,” he murmured, releasing his hold on her neck and leaning in, brushing his thumb against her lower lip. “Where were we?”